Tensioning device for drafting machines



April 4, 1939. T, HARR|$ TENSIONING DEVICE FOR DRAFTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 INVENTOR. 7 %omas /%r/:z's

- ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENSIONING DEVICE FOR DRAFTING MACHINES Application February 26, 1937, Serial No. 127,891

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a drafting frame such as may be used for operation on roving or for like purposes; and relates particularly to the means for applying a tension between the drafting rolls for operating upon the work.

An object of the invention is to provide a tensio-ning device which may be easily and quickly removed from place or snapped into position to apply tension on the rolls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a unit which will be relatively free from the collection of lint and dust and one in which movable parts may be easily accessible to be cleaned but will to a large extent shed the lint which is prevalent around machines of the character in connection with which this device is used.

Another object of the invention is the adjustment of the tension applied to the rolls by a simple manipulation of a screw driver engaging a readily accessible part.

Another object of the invention is an arrangement whereby an effective support for the clearer roll is provided by the tension device and one in which clearer rolls of varying diameters may be supported without change or adjustment of the position of the part which is engaged by the trunnions of the clearer roll.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of con struction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a fragmental portion of a drafting machine showing a pair of rolls with two of my tension devices applied, which two in turn support a clearer roll;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the device as shown in Figs. 2 or 3 detached from the drafting rolls.

Various weight and spring actuated devices are used for applying tension on the drafting rolls of different roving or spinning frames, the weight type requiring considerable room for operation and requiring usually that the rolls be in a certain definite relation so that the actuation may be in the line of gravity. Other devices also depend upon being supported on different parts of the frame and are somewhat cumbersome; and in order to provide a compact and yet effective device for this purpose I have provided a tension device which consists essentially of a clip embracing the rolls to be tensioned or the axle parts thereof and which also provides a support and bearing for a clearer roll which is desired to run against the driven roll and pick up the lint from the same; and the following is a more detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

With reference to the drawing, 10 designates a portion of the framework of a drafting apparatus in which a drive roll comprising a long shaft II is rotatably supported. Fluted portions l2 engage the yarn for operating on the same. This shaft is reduced at various portions along its length as at l3, usually half way between the fluted portions l2 where they are not supported in framework It]. The driven roll I4 is supplied in units consisting of a pair of yarn engaging surfaces shown here as fluted at 15, although leather covered rolls are sometimes used. An axle portion I6 connects these working portions of the roll and is reduced to provide trunnions H to be received in bearings in the framework portion In at either end; and between these working surfaces the axle is also reduced as at H! in alignment with the reduced portion l3 of the driven roll shaft, all of which is of known standard construction in textile practice.

My tension device consists of a. body which I will designate generally 2|] and which has a hookshaped end portion 2! which extends about and embraces the reduced portion I3 of the drive roll. The other end of this body consists of a cylindrical chamber designated generally 22 which is provided with an internally threaded bore 23 and a spring 24 which acts between a plug 25 threadingly engaging the bore 23 and a pivoted member 26 which is swingable about the pivot 21 in the body to be forced by the spring against the reduced portion I8 of the driven roll so that pressure is applied through this portion 26 to draw the rolls toward each other and apply such pressure as is exerted by the spring 24. The member 26 cannot swing far from the position shown in Fig. 3 as the shape of the body is such that this member will engage the portion 28 of the body and be limited in the movement which is imparted to it by the spring. This pressure of spring 24 may be varied by adjusting the plug 25 to various positions along the threaded bore 23.

In applying this tension device to the rolls it is merely necessary to hook the portion 2| over the reduced portion of the shaft l3 and then force the member 26 along the shaft Hi to its desired position and to remove the device it is merely necessary to press downwardly on the housing 22.

Attached to the outer spring housing portion of the body 22 I have provided projections 30 on either side, each of which has an inclined surface 3| tapering toward the rolls and of a substantial extent in length, which surface serves as a bearing support for the trunnions 32 of the clearer roll designated generally 33 and consisting of spaced clearer sections 34 and 35 each positioned to engage the driven roll and accumulated lint which may collect on this clearer roll for moving it therefrom.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims:

I claim:

1. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion to embrace the drive roll at one end, an abutment at its other end, a spring engaging said abutment, a member pivoted in said body and engageable by said spring and movable into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll, and means to limit the pivotal movement of said member under the action of said spring in the direction of the driven roll.

2. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion to embrace the drive roll at one end, an abutment at its other end, a spring engaging said abutment, a member pivoted in said body and engageable by said spring and movable into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll, means to limit the movement of said member under action of said spring, and means to adjust said abutment to vary the tension of the spring.

3. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion at one end to embrace the drive roll, a chambered member at the other end of said body having an internally threaded bore, an abutment member threadingly engaging the bore and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a spring within said chambered member and engaging said abutment, a member pivoted in said body and engageable by said spring and movable into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll, and means to limit the pivotal movement of said spring-operated member in the direction of the driven roll.

4. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion to embrace the drive roll at one end and an abutment at its other end, a spring engaging said abutment, a hollow member open at one end housing said spring and said abutment, and a member pivoted on said body and having a portion normally disposed interiorly within the open end of said hollow member swingable inwardly or outwardly thereof, said portion being engageable by said spring and movable thereby outwardly of the open end of said hollow member into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll.

5. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion to embrace the drive roll at one end and an abutment at its other end, a spring engaging said abutment, a hollow member open at one end housing said spring and said abutment, a pivoted member having a portion normally disposed interiorly within the open end of said hollow member swingable inwardly or outwardly thereof,

said portion being engageable by said spring and a movable thereby outwardly of the open end of said hollow member into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll, and means to adjust said abutment to vary the tension of the spring.

6. In combination with a drafting machine, a drive roll, a driven roll, a pressure device for urging the driven roll toward the drive roll comprising a body having a hook-shaped portion at one end to embrace the drive roll, a chambered member at the other end of said body having an internally threaded bore and an enlarged open end portion communicating therewith disposed adjacent the driven roll, an abutment member threadingly engaging the bore and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a spring within said chambered member engaging said abutment and extending longitudinally thereof into said hollow enlarged portion, and a member pivoted on said body and swingable about the pivot for movement into or out of the open end of said enlarged portion, said pivoted member being engageable by said spring and movable thereby outwardly of said enlarged portion into engagement with the driven roll to urge it toward the drive roll.

THOMAS HARRIS. 

